“But I can express myself only through writing. I don’t know any other way,” said my 10-year-old student. “Now, how do I respond to this?” I wondered. Still figuring out within myself, I was in for a surprise when the teacher within me immediately agreed with the student. “Yes, I agree. I have seen you […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
U.S. Department of Education moves to strip Maine of federal K-12 funding over Title IX dispute
The U.S. Department of Education has escalated its Title IX enforcement efforts against the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), formally referring the case to the U.S. Department of Justice for legal action and initiating proceedings to revoke the state’s federal K -12 education funding. This move comes after the DOJ launched an investigation in February […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Who’s in charge here? The erosion of authority in schools
“I’d like you to go back to your seat,” I said after the third reminder for off-task behavior. “What!? Why?” she exclaimed, apparently totally stymied as to why I’d ask her to do such a thing. “Because a few minutes ago I told you that if you keep socializing, I would move you back to […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Rampaging elephants, stolen markers, and the reason we teach
An elephant had waltzed through Anthony’s schoolground the morning of the day I interviewed him. Turns out that’s a thing teachers deal with in rural Uganda. It’s not normal, but not entirely rare either—an elephant will wander through the grounds, calf in tow, looking for some maize or sugarcane to munch on. The kids squeal with […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Calls for resignation grow after Memphis school board member’s ICE threat
Memphis Shelby County School Board member Towanna Murphy has issued an apology for threatening to deport Hispanic women who messaged her on social media to criticize her tenure on the school board and called her names. Murphy, the District 7 school board member, represents the Whitehaven and Hickory Hill communities in Memphis Shelby County Schools, the […]
Posted inClassroom Management
Teaching 102: Seven easy ways to bring manners into your classroom
I’ve heard every teacher I know say it at least once: “My students need to practice manners.” Here’s something else I’ve heard them all say right after that: “I don’t have time to teach my students manners.” I get it. I teach English at a middle school on a block schedule. I teach with a […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Top scholar says evidence for special education inclusion is ‘fundamentally flawed’
This article first appeared in The Hechinger Report, a national nonprofit newsroom that reports on one topic: education. Contact staff writer Jill Barshay at 212-678-3595 or barshay@hechingerreport.org. A prominent professor of special education is about to ignite a fierce debate over a tenet of his field, that students with disabilities should be educated as much as possible alongside […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Trump administration gives guidance to school districts to use Title 1 to provide school choice
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has issued new guidance to state education officials, clarifying how they can use federal formula funds to expand school choice initiatives. The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order and campaign promises to expand school choice. This move would divert Title 1 funds […]